Carmela Maria Destito-Buttice

Carmela M. Destito-Buttice, known to everyone as Carmy, passed away on October 5, 2026, at the age of 93. A longtime resident of Walla Walla, Washington, Carmy lived a life overflowing with love, conversation, and tireless devotion to her family and community.

Carmy was born on February 24, 1933, in Spokane, Washington, to Anna and Sam Perfetto. She graduated from Lewis & Clark High School in Spokane in 1951, and in August of 1953 she married John Destito. Together they built a life on the family farm, where Carmy devoted herself to raising their four boys. She also worked part-time over the years, including at JC Penney’s and later full-time at Meridian Mortgage. After John’s passing in 1983, she married Emilio Buttice in September of 1991.

Those who knew Carmy knew a woman who never met a stranger. She was outgoing, warm, and endlessly dedicated to the people and causes she loved. She was a mother to her own sons, but in truth she was a parent to all who crossed her path. She loved nothing more than a good conversation and could talk for hours about her family and her many passions. She was a tireless worker and volunteer who would lend a hand in any way she could.

Carmy’s involvement in the community spanned her entire life. It began with the schools her children attended, where she served on the PTA and local school boards in many capacities, including president and board member. As a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, she took an active role in church functions and in the local Catholic school system. She was instrumental in founding the HOPE drive for DeSales High School in Walla Walla.

Music was one of her great joys, and she sang proudly as a member of the Sweet Adelines. She also gave her time to the women’s auxiliary of the Walla Walla Fire District. But perhaps her deepest pride was the Italian Heritage Association of Walla Walla, which she helped found. She served as its president for three years, was named its first “Member of the Year,” and served as Co-Parade Marshal in 1992. She founded the beloved “Grape Stomp” and was a devoted advocate for telling and preserving the history of the Italians who immigrated to the valley in the early 1900s. She was also instrumental in organizing the rededication of the Christopher Columbus statue at the County Courthouse, so that all could remember and learn an important part of this valley’s history.

Carmy is survived by her three sons, David, Daniel, and Mark; her sister, Lucy; 9 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren, with one on the way. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Sam Perfetto; her brother, Michael Perfetto; her son, John Destito; and her husbands, John Destito and Millie Buttice.

A woman of deep and abiding faith, Carmy lived out her Christian values in all she did, and she now rests in the peace she so faithfully trusted.

A rosary will be held for Carmy on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Chapel of Herring Funeral Home, with viewing to begin at 10:00 AM. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at St. Francis Catholic Church, followed by graveside services at Mountain View Cemetery. A reception luncheon will follow at St. Francis.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Italian Heritage Association or to St. Francis Church through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.